UDC reports disappointing Q3 2018 financial results

Universal Display reported its financial results for Q3 2018. Revenues increased 26% from last year, to reach $77.6 million (material sales increased 9% to $51.2 million). Net income was $22.8 million (up from $13.5 million in Q3 2017).

UDC PHOLED materials photo (2017)

UDC lowered its 2018 revenue guidance to $240-250 million. Even though the market has picked up in the quarter for its major customers (SDC and LGD), UDC's revenues and guidance disappointed investors.

Read the full story Posted: Nov 03,2018

LG - we sold over 3 million OLED TVs since launching the first one in 2013

LG Electronics said that it has sold over 3 million OLED TVs, since launching its first one in 2013 - in September 2018 it has shipped over 3.2 millionth units, in fact.

LG Display is increasing its production capacity quickly, and so LG Electronics can increase its TV shipments (although today there are over a dozen other companies that use LGD's OLED TV panels, including Sony, Philips, Panasonic and Toshiba). In 2018 alone LGD expects to sell a total of 2.9 million OLED TV panels (up from 1.7 million in 2017).

Read the full story Posted: Nov 02,2018

Royole launches a foldable smartphone/tablet developer device

US and China based Royole launched the world's first foldable OLED device - the FlexPai phone/tablet. The FlexPai has a 7.8" 1920x1440 (308 PPI) AMOLED display, when unfolded, The display folds outwards, and when folded the device has three different displays (front, back and spine).

Royole is now accepting pre-orders for the "Developer Mode" device, starting at $1318 for the 128GB model. The first devices will ship in late December 2018. The company said the device has passed bending, twisting and tension tests over 200,000 times, and the display is much more durable compared to current displays (as it is not covered by glass).

Read the full story Posted: Nov 01,2018

Digitimes details Samsung's QD-OLED TV production plans and equipment

Samsung Display is developing hybrid QD-OLED TV technology, and according to estimates, the company aims to begin trial production in 2019. It is also estimated that Samsung has several challenges to overcome, but according to new reports from Digitimes, Samsung is aiming to start installing equipment for the new fab as early as December 2018.

QD-OLED stack scheme (DSCC, Oct-2018)

The new fab will begin operation in the second half of 2019 - pilot production at first which will be expanded to full scale mass production. The new fab will be built in Samsung's L8 LCD production line in Asan, and will take over one of the two lines currently in operation at the fab. Samsung's initial production capacity will be around 25,000 monthly G8 substrates.

Read the full story Posted: Nov 01,2018

Samsung reports higher sales of flexible OLEDs in Q3 2018

Samsung Electronics reported its financial results for Q3 2018, with a 5.5% increase in revenues (to KRW 65.46 trillion) and 20.9% increase in quarterly operating profits.

Samsung Display fared "unfavorable supply-demand conditions in the LCD market" - but total revenues improved from last year thanks for higher sales of flexible OLED panels. Earnings significantly grew from Q2 2018 due to increased utilization of flexible OLED panel capacity. Samsung expects OLED demand to remain strong in Q4 2018.

Read the full story Posted: Nov 01,2018